FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The small silver car drove down the muddy dirt road, its headlights lighting up the front and illuminating the drops of rain that were clattering down onto the car. The road was completely deserted and pitch black except for the light from the car and the lights of a makeshift checkpoint further along the road. The car had two occupants, twin hares who looked eighteen or nineteen and were both dressed in black hoodies, camo trousers and steel toed boots.

''Do we have to go to this place again?'' Jeremiah Dirk asked his brother, adding a childish whine to his voice as he eyed the checkpoint ahead of them, taking a puff from the cigarette in his hand. He spluttered and coughed in surprise as his brother suddenly gave the back of his head a playful smack.

''Yeah, we do if we want to have a drink without having to look over our shoulders every few minutes.'' His brother Arnold said as he chuckled ''Remember last time we went somewhere else?'' He playfully nudged his brothers side with his elbow, beginning to slow the car down as one of the checkpoint guards waved for them to stop.

There were four guards manning the checkpoint, each outfitted identically in black fatigues, bullet proof vests, boots, and carrying a H&K G3 rifle and radio. Looking more like soldiers than any kind of security. Three of the guards positioned themselves around the car as it slowed to a stop, one of them standing a few feet in front of it with their rifled aimed directly at the windshield. The fourth guard walked up to the driver side window and rapped on it with their knuckle.

''Lovely night for being on guard duty, don't you think?'' Arnold smirked at the guard as he rolled down the window, rain beginning to pelt his face. He looked up at the guard, who simply let out an annoyed grunt in reply to Arnold's comment as he continued to smirk up at him.

''Very funny.'' The guard said through clenched teeth, very obviously not finding the joke funny as he shined a torch at Arnold's face ''Now, is it just the two of you and do you have any weapons to declare?'' He asked, moving the torch over to Jeremiah's face as he squatted down slightly.

''Just the two of us, no weapons'' Arnold said compliantly with a sigh ''We know the rules so you can skip that part.'' He opened the front of his hoodie to show that he wasn't hiding anything underneath before motioning for his brother to do the same.

The guard eyed the two hares for a couple of seconds, as if he was trying to think of some excuse to turn them away. Quickly shining the torch into the back seats before signalling offhandedly for the other guards to move out of the way of the car ''Alright, but don't cause any trouble...'' The guard warned, tapping his rifle meaningfully ''or else.'' He moved a step back before waving them on.

''Arrogant prick'' Jeremiah said, annoyed as he looked back at the checkpoint and flicked his half-finished cigarette past Arnold's muzzle and out of the still open window '' I bet he wouldn't be so tough without his friends and that gun of his.''

''Yeah, but he still has the power to tell us to fuck off. And Leroy will be on his side, not ours'' Arnold shrugged, seemingly unfazed by the cigarette flying past the end of his muzzle as he turned the car into the bar's car park.

The bar in question was named The Neutral Zone, and was owned by a short and stocky human called Leroy Chalmers. The was so named because it was situated just outside the city, and because nearly the entirety of the citys major warring major gangs had agreed, either through bribery, diplomacy or a combination of the two, that the surrounding area would be out of bounds for gang fighting, something which was ensured by Leroy's own personal security force.

Jeremiah opened the car door and climbed out, almost as soon as his brother parked into an open space. Already lighting up another cigarette as his brother got out and locked the car.

''You should quit those, y'know'' Arnold said, frowning as he watched his brother take a puff from it''They're bad for you.''

Jeremiah looked over at his brother and laughed as he saw the frown on his face, walking side by side towards the bar's entrance.

''Oh yes, of course I will!'' Jeremiah said sarcastically ''With everything else we do, these are the most dangerous thing of all!'' He looked at the cigarette in mock horror before taking another puff, feeling the pungent smoke filling his mouth before blowing it out of his nose.

''They help me relax'' He explained before chuckling ''now, you shut up about me smoking, and I'll shut up about you drinking!'' He held out his hand towards his brother, his long ears flicking playfully.

Arnold acted as if he was thinking over his brothers words, before nodding and letting out a loud laugh as he grabbed and shook his brothers hand ''Deal! Now, let's drink.'' He said, opening the door to the bar and walking inside with is brother.

The bar itself had once been a large warehouse, that Leroy had converted it to have two floors and had been outfitted with everything a bar needed. From the long wood panelled counter that ran half the length of the right hand wall, to the tables and chairs arranged throughout the interior and the booths that ran along the left hand wall. The bar's second floor was reserved for security and staff, and occasionally was rented out to host private meetings between high-ranking members of various gangs, for a price.

The moment that Jeremiah and Arnold began walking over to the bar, one of the barmen on duty pointed a stern finger at them. ''You two are banned, and you know it!'' He berated them, eyeing the pair as they approached the bar and him.

''Who isn't at this stage?'' They both answered in unison as Arnold pointed to a large cork-board behind the bar. The cork-board was covered in tacked on pictures of seemingly hundreds of people, many of whom could be seen sitting and drinking in the bar at the moment.

The barman broke into a wide grin and let out a loud hearty laugh ''Fair bloody point!'' He laughed, leaning on the bar as the twin hares sat down on stools ''What can ole Leroy get the pair of you?''

''Something cheap, strong, and lots of it.'' Arnold ordered, tapping a finger on the counter to emphasize each word.

''Just a beer, you pick which'' Jeremiah ordered, taking another puff from his cigarette ''Just don't do anything to it or...'' His gaze flicked to one of the many patrolling guards, each one armed similarly to the ones at the checkpoint. ''Just gimme a beer'' He said finally, thinking better to not threaten Leroy, even jokingly.

Leroy chuckled as he watched Jeremiah's eyes flick towards the security guard ''Don't worry, you can say what you want to me'' He grinned and winked ''Just don't try anything against me'' he wagged a cautionary finger at the hare before smiling again.

''So a beer for you and a gin for you, sounds good?'' He asked, confirming the order with the two as he drummed his hands on the counter, and beginning to walk off to get the drinks as they nodded for yes.

Jeremiah watched as Leroy walked away. He was wearing a deep purple shirt with a black waistcoat, black suit trousers, and a green apron that ended just above the cuff of his shoes.

Jeremiah didn't really know much about the bar owner, but he had heard that Leroy had owned several bars in the past, each one ending up being destroyed or otherwise unprofitable amid the constant gang fighting. Which is why he had decided to surround this one with the best security money could buy.

Jeremiah placed the cigarette between his lips, taking small puffs from it as he swiveled around on the bar stool, leaning back against the counter as he looked around the room. Feeling the smoke fill his mouth and lungs before blowing it out of his nose.

Looking around the bar, he began to mentally list the various gang members that he could see. Members from the Honourable Houston street Horde, Trickstars, Fire-Freakz, the Miedo Amparo Cartel, along with some members of the cities thousands of lesser gangs, whose names he had never bothered to find out. He could even see a group of Priests taking up a few of the farther booths, the bar's other patrons giving them a wide berth. Out of fear or respect, Jeremiah couldn't tell.

His gaze continued to roam the bar, still taking puffs from his cigarette as he became lost in thought, the clunk of glass meeting wood behind him bringing him back around. He turned around and tapped the ash from his cigarette into an ashtray, looking at the unopened beer and bottle of gin that Leroy had set down on the counter.

''There we go. I haven't even opened it, so there's no way I could've done anything to it!'' Leroy proclaimed jokingly, placing a hand over his heart ''I swears it!'' He grinned at Jeremiah, Arnold already grabbing the bottle of gin and beginning to open it.

''Don't you want a glass, Arnie?'' Leroy asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Arnold curiously.

Arnold shook his head, his ears twitching in irritation as Leroy called him 'Arnie'. ''I'm fine, I'll be having the bottle anyway.'' He said ''No need to add extra for you, 'Roy'' He said mockingly, grinning toothily at Leroy before taking a drink from the bottle.

Leroy very briefly looked angry before he wagged a finger at the hare. ''Ooh, lot a of people would dare call me that, especially in here, Rabbit.'' He chuckled, leaning on the counter as the two began a bout of good-natured name-calling.

Jeremiah twisted the cap off of his beer and took a small sip from it, an ear flicking slightly as the bitter tasting liquid washed through his mouth as he turned around again. Finishing off his cigarette between sips as he nodded towards a few members of the Honourable Houston street Horde that he knew personally. Leaving his brother and Leroy to their bantering and name-calling as Arnold continued to swig from his bottle between insults.

Leroy eventually wandered off after a good while, giving Arnold's shoulder a good-natured thump before he went off to interact with the bar's other patrons, seemingly friendly with everyone, regardless of gang affiliation. By now, roughly half of Arnold's bottle was empty, compared to the barely a quarter that Jeremiah had drank from his beer.

Arnold was slumping slightly across the bar as he continue to take swigs from his bottle, wiping a hand across his muzzle as he accidentally spilled some of the gin.

''Y'know, as much as me smoking is unhealthy'' Jeremiah said, chuckling slightly as he patted his brothers back ''But at least I don't get drunk by doing it.''

Arnold laughed as he gave the counter a smack ''But gitting drunk ish the besht part!'' He slurred, turning to grin at his brother as he took a long draft from the bottle ''Plush I can breeath better!'' He teased, inhaling deeply as he drunkenly tried to hit the cigarette from his brothers hand, but only ended up nearly over-balancing himself and falling over.

Jeremiah laughed with him, helping to steady his brother before flicking his nose with his free hand ''but my liver is healthier though!'' He joked ''Plus you know I could beat you in a race, smoking or not!'' He quickly pulled his head back as Arnold tried to flick back at his nose, but ended up nearly punching his neck.

He gave the top of Arnold's head a light slap between his ears as he chuckled, always fond of messing with his brother whenever he was like this ''You trying to start another fight, Aaaarnie?'' He asked teasingly, stretching the nickname out to try and annoy his brother more.

Arnold quickly replied by aiming a playful but powerful kick at one of Jeremiah's legs, but missing it by a hairs width and slamming his booted foot against the side of the bar, scuffing and even slightly denting the wood panelling.

Jeremiah's laughter died in his throat as he saw a few of the security guards beginning to converge towards the pair of them, each holding a taser or their rifle. Breathing a sigh of relief and raising his bottle in thanks as he spotted Leroy quickly moving between the guards and waving them away, flashing a grin and a quick thumbs up towards Jeremiah to show that everything was fine. Jeremiah lit up a fresh cigarette and took a nervous puff from it.

Arnold pressed his foot against the side of the bar, seemingly oblivious to what was going on as he went to take another swig from his bottle, instead grabbing Jeremiah's now unattended beer and downing the remains of it as his stubby tail twitched, seemingly annoyed as he drunkenly mumbled to himself. Suddenly swinging around and half hopping- half stumbling off the bar stool and beginning to stumble towards the back of the bar as he loudly and drunkenly proclaimed that he has to piss. Clumsily depositing the empty beer bottle at some random groups table as he stumbled towards the bar's restrooms.

Jeremiah stabbed his barely smoked cigarette out before groaning and laughed into his hands as he covered his face with them, both amused and embarrassed by his brothers drunken actions. Not daring to look up as he heard the sound of a table being knocked over, so he could at least pretend that it wasn't his brother as he heard Leroy being ever the diplomatic host and offering apologies and a free round of drinks to whoevers table it was. He slowly pulled his face away from his hands as he heard someone walk up along the other side of the bar.

''Ah, don't worry about your brother, we've had worse here'' Leroy consoled, reaching across the bar and patting Jeremiah's shoulder before laughing and smiling ''plus, he's free entertainment!''

''He's still embarrassing as fuck to be around sometimes.'' Jeremiah chuckled slightly, shaking his head and politely waving away the bottle of beer that Leroy offered to him ''He's the drinker, I don't drink much.'' He explained, picking up Arnold's bottle and sloshing its remaining contents before looking back at Leroy.

''You sell cigarettes, right?'' He wondered curiously, putting the bottle down and taking out his packet of cigarettes ''I'm nearly out.'' He said, showing the remaining two to Leroy.

Leroy hmm'ed for a second or two as he looked at the cigarettes, apparently thinking before he shrugged ''I'll check the back, we probably have some laying around'' He winked roguishly at Jeremiah as he smirked ''we sell a lot of things here.'' He chuckled and hummed to himself as he walked away, his hands searching in his pockets. Looking the picture of a man without a single care, instead of one who has spent years running various criminal operations whilst surrounded by armed guards.

Jeremiah kept his eye on Leroy as he walked away, rattling the packet in his hand before pinching one of the cigarettes inside as came half way out of the packet, bringing it to his lips as he searched for his lighter in one of his other pockets. He felt someone tap on his shoulder as his hand wrapped around the lighter in his pocket.

''You're sitting on my bar stool'' Someone grunted out behind him, the sneer in their voice obvious as the kept tapping Jeremiah's shoulder.

He smacked whoevers hand it was away, turning around on the stool as he pulled the lighter out and lit the cigarette, coming face to face with a smirking wolf and two foxes. The trio were all wearing jumpers emblazoned with a T and S arranged to form a V with a golden crown in the centre, denoting as members of the TrickStars. The wolf who had been tapping Jeremiah's shoulder looked roughly a few years older than Jeremiah, while the two foxes looked to be the same age as him or possibly younger.

Jeremiah shrugged as he eyed the trio and sized them, all of them appeared to be at least a few inches taller than him ''Plenty more bar stools'' He chuckled ''plus, I don't see your name on it anywhere.'' He kept his gaze locked with the wolfs, watching the two foxes in his peripheral vision as he held the cigarette loosely with his lips, leaving his hands free.

''I don't care about the others, I always sit here.'' The wolf growled lowly ''Now are you going to move, or do me and my boys have to make you move?'' He questioned, crossing his arms over his chest as he narrowed his eyes aggressively, hoping to intimidate the stubborn hare into moving.

''You three, move me?'' Jeremiah asked slowly, smirking and laughing as he took the cigarette from his lips ''Tougher people have tried, and I rather like this particular bar stool.'' He smirked more as he wriggled his ass on the seat and exhaled smoke into the wolf's face.

The wolf waved the smoke out of his face, coughing slightly as he began to growl lowly, his hackles beginning to rise ''Plenty more of us in this bar, who I'm sure wouldn't mind helping me beat up an annoying little rabbit like you'' He spat contemptuously, baring his sharp teeth in a grin ''Especially one who works with those triple H pussies!''

You must not come here a lot then. Ain't no gangs here, just people'' Jeremiah spat back, his ears sticking upright as he grinned back at the wolf ''You and your cronies want to move me, you gotta do it yourselves.'' He smirked and chuckled as he spotted another TrickStar a few tables away nodding in agreement with him.

''Your friend over there seems to get it'' He chuckled, pointing and waving to the Trickstar ''If only you guys could be as smart as she is.''

The wolf glared back at the Trickstar before turning back to Jeremiah, his cronies moving to bar stools on either side of the hare as he looked over Jeremiah's shoulder ''Leroy, tell this stupid rabbit to move his ass off my stool, before I turn him into bloody rabbit stew!'' He demanded as Leroy politely tapped Jeremiah's shoulder.

Jeremiah turned around slightly on the stool, being mindful to not expose too much of his back to the trio as he looked at what Leroy had placed on the counter. It was a packet of cigarettes and curiously, an egg timer.

''You know the rules, you want someone moved, move 'em yourself.'' Leroy explained, waving responsibility away with his hands as he shook his head before leaning towards Jeremiah.

''That'll be eight dollars.'' He said, moving the egg timer and cigarettes closer to Jeremiah as he leant closer ''You got two minutes free before security breaks up whatever happens.'' He whispered, turning the timer to count down two minutes as Jeremiah pulled a ten dollar bill from his pocket. Leroy slyly winked at Jeremiah as he took the bill and went off to get change.

The trio tried to look over Jeremiah's shoulder, trying to see what Leroy had placed down. ''What'd he whisper to you?'' The wolf demanded, taking a cautious step backwards as Jeremiah began to turn around.

''Ah, he just told me what a bunch of wimps he thinks you are'' Jeremiah laughed as he grabbed the bottle of gin by its neck ''And how you're not worth the trouble of fighting, in here or out on the streets'' He stuck his tongue out mockingly, placing the cigarettes in his pocket before opening the bottle.

The two foxes on either side of him grr'ed lowly at the insults, but continued to wait for the wolf to tell them what to do, equally fearing retribution from the wolf and the bar's security.

''You've got them well trained, haven't you?'' Jeremiah chuckled, motioning to the foxes before taking a long drink from the bottle, tasting the pungently bitter liquid filling his mouth as the wolf growled loudly.

''Oh, you're going to pay for that, bunny boy!'' The wolf barked aggressively, baring his teeth more and cracking his knuckles as Jeremiah began as if to place the bottle back on the counter.

''Get him, boys!'' He shouted, just as Jeremiah suddenly whirled the bottle forward, smashing it against the head of the fox to his left, kicking his powerful legs at the wolf's stomach as he spat the gin in his mouth into the face of the other fox.

The trio all doubled over slightly, the two foxes yelling out as the strong alcoholic liquid got into their eyes and cuts, the one that Jeremiah had smashed the bottle off having several gashs across his muzzle and head from where the glass shards had raked across it.

Jeremiah quickly pounced at the wolf as they gasped for breath, aiming a knee at the wolfs head but missing as the wolf skirted to the side suddenly, instead crashing into the table behind the wolf and knocking several drinks off of it as he gasped, the air being knocked from his body.

He hurriedly pushed himself off of the table and back onto his feet right as the as the wolf swung a haymaker at him, barely managing to block the unexpected attack with his upper arm, which numbed slightly from the blow as he kicked out at one of the foxes as they began to recover themselves, taking advantage of their still blurred vision and standing between them and the wolf. Ducking and skirting to the side as they threw a blind flailing punch at him, only to end up punching the wolf in the chest

The wolf stumbled a step or two before growling loudly again and pouncing wildly at Jeremiah, bringing his fist down in a powerful swing as he did. The hare unable t o react in time as the fist slammed into the side of his head, stunning him and sending him hurtling to the floor as the wolf continued to savagely rain blows down at the hare.

Jeremiah tried to use his arms to protect his head while he tried to kick the wolf off of him. The effort proving futile as he wheezed and groaned loudly in pain as one of the foxes kicked him in the ribs. He could very faintly hear the sound of running amidst the grunting and pain as the three TrickStars beat him on the ground.

''Thatsh my brotheeer!'' Arnold slurred angrily as he bowled into the trio, knocking them away from his brother ''Come fight the twinsh!'' He roared, staggering slightly as he blinked and raised his fists.

Jeremiah quickly scrambled onto his feet and stood next to his brother, his face and body beaten and bloodied now, his head throbbing as he raised his fists as well.

The wolf and foxes jumped back up onto their feet, eyeing the twin hares a bit more cautiously now that the odds were more even. ''Well? Get them!'' The wolf barked, shoving the foxes towards Arnold as he charged at Jeremiah again, madly intent on getting revenge for the insults.

Arnold stumbled and flailed slightly as the two foxes teamed up on him, trying to land a blow on him while avoiding his drunken, but powerful punched. They managed to land one or two solid punched on his back as one of his swings overbalanced him and nearly sent him to the floor.

Jeremiah swung a kick at the wolf as they launched themselves at him again, managing to catch him in the side before he used his other leg to try and kick at their head again, his booted foot missing by mere centimetres as the wolf ducked to avoid it. The wolf quickly pushed Jeremiah's leg upwards, sending him toppling onto his back before pouncing at him, teeth bared savagely as he let out loud snarl.

Jeremiah chittered aggressively as the wolf pounced at him, pulling his legs up to his chest and using them both in a powerful double kick that sent the wolf flying into a table ''Down boy!'' He mocked, rolling back onto his feet and slamming himself against the wolf as they tried to recover, bludgeoning his back and sides with punches.

Arnold charged the two foxes as he recovered from his stumble, managing to catch one of them in a tackle, body slamming them to the ground and stomping his foot down heavily on their chest, not noticing as the other one grabbed one of the bar stools and tried to swing it at him. The foxes grip slipped slightly on the frame of the stool and only achieved a glancing blow across Arnold's shoulders, causing him to grunt and stumble again as he tried to kick the fox on the ground again, who was doubled over and coughing.

Arnold whipped around and threw a wild haymaker at the fox, howling in pain as they used the stool as a shield to block the blow, his fist thumping painfully into one of the stools legs. He pulled his throbbing fist back in close to his body as he charged shoulder first at the fox, giving him no chance to escape as he caused the stool to slam back against their muzzle with a sickening crunch.

The wolf growled angrily and kicked back at Jeremiah as he continued to bludgeon his now battered and bruised back, having just barely managed to protect his head with his arms. The kick connected with Jeremiah's groin and sent him stumbling backwards, gagging slightly in pain as he collapsed down onto his back, his eyes wide and tearing up as he coughed and wheezed in pain.

He flicked his wrist as he approached the grounded and wheezing hare, a wide grin plastered across his muzzle as a knife slipped out from his sleeve and into his left hand. Bouncing the knife slightly in his hand as he straddled Jeremiah's chest, using his legs to pin his arms down as he leered over him ''Lets see you insult me with your throat slashed, you stupid fucking rabbit.'' He snarled, grinning down at Jeremiah as he squirmed weakly beneath him.

Jeremiah watched in shock and horror as the wolf brought the knife down in an arching swipe, the blade glinting even in the dim lighting of the bar. Summoning up the last of his strength, he bucked his hips upwards suddenly, ducking and tilting his head as he tried to protect his neck from the sharp blade.

As he ducked his head, he felt a sharp, searing hot pain washing over his head as his vision suddenly went white, screaming out in pain as the knife found his flesh, but where he couldn't tell through the sea of pain washing over him. His whole body convulsed and bucked as his strained under the wolf in a bid to cradle his head.

Dimly through the pain he suddenly heard the sound of something ringing just as something banged loudly and the wolf was lifted bodily off of him. Jeremiah's body instinctively curled into a fetal position as he grabbed his head, feeling the warm wetness of his own blood as he blindly tried to search for the source of the pain.

He faintly heard the sounds of people shouting and running around, their voices muffled and distorted due to the pain. Finally finding the source of the blood as his hand closed around the bleeding stump of his left ear, trying to staunch the flow as he felt someone roll him onto his back, before something was poured onto the hand clenched around his ear. The pain growing even more intense before subsiding slightly as his vision began to return slowly, the corners of it still dim and foggy, looking up to see his brothers face over his.

A look of pure worry and concern was on Arnold's face, the adrenaline of the fight and hearing his brothers scream having washed away his drunkenness as he looked down at his brothers bruised and bloodied head ''You okay, brother?'' he asked worriedly as he leant over Jeremiah, his face paling as he saw his brothers hand clenched around the stump of his ear.

''H... How much?'' Jeremiah asked blearily through the pain, blinking up at his brother as he tried to focus properly through the throbbing of his head, his hand tightening around his ear as a spark of pain shot through it again.

''I'd say this is around half of it'' Leroy suddenly announced, his face coming slowly into focus as he leant over Jeremiah as well, holding up the severed and bloody top of his left ear in one hand ''You're lucky he didn't get your throat, that knife of his went clean through this!'' He remarked loudly, chuckling slightly as he inspected the sliced part of the ear.

Jeremiah's eyes widened as he saw the severed part of his ear being held by Leroy, the pain in his head dimming as his body flushed full of aggression and adrenaline ''I'm going to neuter that wolf with his own fucking knife!'' He roared, straining to get upright before being pressed back down by his brother as Leroy shook his head and chuckled.

''Haha, no need. You know the rules'' He said, grinning morbidly down at the wounded hare ''fist fighting is alright, but no weapons allowed'' His face and turned suddenly very serious as he stood up and looked over at the security guards holding the wolf and foxes.

''You two!'' He shouted, pointing at the two guards that it was taking to restrain the wolf ''I don't want to see him again. EVER! Is that understood?'' He ordered loudly, leaving need for explanation as the entire bar shivered slightly at the meaning of his words. The wolf began frantically struggling and begging as he was dragged away by the guards, the two foxes laying either unconscious or in not state to move on the ground.

30 minutes later

Jeremiah slouched over the bar and winced, still in pain as he puffed at another cigarette, the fourth one in so many minutes as he did his best to ignore the dull throbbing in his now sewn up ear stump. His ear had been sewn and cleaned up by one of the bar staff as the wolf had been dragged away, while another cleaned up the blood on the ground and any other evidence of the fight. Now, only thirty minutes later, it was near impossible to tell that there had been a fight in the first place.

The pair of foxes had been dragged off to a room upstairs to held until they were picked up by a representative from their gang, and had to explain what had happened to the wolf and why. Both were heavily bruised, with one having several cracked ribs from when Arnold had stomped on their chest, while the other had a broken muzzle.

Leroy wandered over and placed a bottle of whiskey in front of Jeremiah ''On the house'' He said cheerfully ''So there's no hard feelings about the ear.'' He gave Jeremiah's shoulder one of his customary pats before ambling off to talk to a small group of people. Jeremiah couldn't hear the entirety of the conversation, only managing to pick out a few words, two of which he was certain were the words 'winnings' and 'bets'.

He looked over at Arnold as he saw him slowly reach for the bottle of whiskey, chuckling darkly as he gave his shoulder a light punch ''I'm never going drinking with you again.''